112. The Elements
(A Tragic Chorus.)
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{188}
MAN is permitted much |
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To scan and learn |
| In Nature's frame; |
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Till he well-nigh can tame |
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Brute mischiefs and can touch
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| Invisible things, and turn |
| All warring ills to purposes of good. |
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Thus, as a god below, |
| He can control, |
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And harmonize, what seems amiss to flow |
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As sever'd from the whole
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And dimly understood.
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But o'er the elements
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One Hand alone,
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One Hand has sway.
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What influence day by day
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In straiter belt prevents
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The impious Ocean, thrown {189}
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Alternate o'er the ever-sounding shore?
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Or who has eye to trace
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How the Plague came?
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Forerun the doublings of the Tempest's race?
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Or the Air's weight and flame
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On a set scale explore?
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Thus God has will'd
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That man, when fully skill'd,
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Still gropes in twilight dim;
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Encompass'd all his hours
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By fearfullest powers
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Inflexible to him.
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That so he may discern
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His feebleness.
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And e'en for earth's success
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To him in wisdom turn,
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Who holds for us the keys of either home,
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Earth and the world to come.
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At Sea.
June 25, 1833.
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